Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/247

Rh Suppose thou canst escape the world of men; Still must thou face the thunderbolts of Jove, The father of Alcides. Even now His threat'ning torches gleam athwart the sky, And all the heavens tremble with the shock. Nay, death itself, wherein thou hop'st to find A place of safe retreat—fear that as well; For there Alcides' uncle reigns supreme. Turn where thou wilt, O wretched woman; there Shalt thou behold thy husband's kindred gods. Deianira: A fearful crime it is, I do confess; But Oh, my passion bids me do it still. Nurse: Thou'lt die. Deianira: But as the wife of Hercules I'll die; no night shall ever bring the day That shall behold me cheated of my own, Nor shall a captive mistress have my bed. Sooner shall western skies give birth to day; Sooner shall men of India make their home Beneath the icy pole, and Phoebus tan With his hot rays the shivering Scythians, Than shall the dames of Thessaly behold My downfall. For with my own blood I'll quench The marriage torches. Either he shall die, Or slay me with his hand. To all the beasts Whom he has slaughtered let him add his wife; Let me be numbered 'mongst his mighty deeds; But in my death my body still shall claim The couch of Hercules. Oh, sweet, 'tis sweet To fare to Hades as Alcides' bride, And not without my vengeance. If, indeed, From Hercules my rival has conceived, With my own hands I'll tear the child away Untimely, and that shameless harlot face Within her very wedding torches' glare. And though in wrath upon his nuptial day He slay me as a victim at the shrine, Let me but fall upon my rival's corse, And I shall die content. For happy he